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Is the ubiquity of micro plastics actually evidence that they are pretty benign? Microplastics are pretty much everywhere, but globally (apart from Covid-19) h

Is the ubiquity of micro plastics actually evidence that they are pretty benign? Microplastics are pretty much everywhere, but globally (apart from Covid-19) humans are living longer, healthier lives. Despite all the news, we have one of the lowest rates or crime/war/violence ever in recorded human history. We are making huge intellectual strides. I don't think we really have very good evidence that we are being harmed in any significant degree by micro plastics.

ricardobeat 5y ago
This argument can apply to a lot of other known-to-be-dangerous substances: particulate matter from cars, VOCs, BPA… I don’t think we should stop caring about them?
- andybak 5y ago
  Depends if you mean "we have evidence they aren't harmful" vs "we have no evidence they are harmful". The former is a very good reason to stop caring about them (while remaining vigilant). The latter requires a more complex risk/benefit analysis but is still enouraging.
- steve76 5y ago
hombre_fatal 5y ago
If humans were at peak fitness, I think there would be more promise in this hypothesis. But with the explosion of health issues like obesity and heart failure, confounded by everything from diet to endocrine disruption, it's hard to conclude that we should be leaving stones unturned. Also, longevity is only one metric. End-to-end quality of life seems to be more revealing to me about the state of our health, not just how long medicine can prop us up despite our issues. For example, why are 26% of men under 40 suffering from erectile disfunction? Why are more people on medications for mental health? etc. To what extent does any part of the system, including microplastics, impact these issues?
- userbinator 5y ago
  I think it's almost all entirely due to a more sedentary lifestyle. Especially regarding obesity.
hnhg 5y ago
Microplastics eventually turn into nanoplastics: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210504112641.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210504112641.h... We don't know the long term effects of these but it looks like their presence will be an inevitability. Given that nanoplastics will be able to cross cell membranes, it would be prudent to conduct more research into them.

ricardobeat 5y ago

This argument can apply to a lot of other known-to-be-dangerous substances: particulate matter from cars, VOCs, BPA… I don’t think we should stop caring about them?

andybak 5y ago
Depends if you mean "we have evidence they aren't harmful" vs "we have no evidence they are harmful". The former is a very good reason to stop caring about them (while remaining vigilant). The latter requires a more complex risk/benefit analysis but is still enouraging.
steve76 5y ago

hombre_fatal 5y ago

If humans were at peak fitness, I think there would be more promise in this hypothesis. But with the explosion of health issues like obesity and heart failure, confounded by everything from diet to endocrine disruption, it's hard to conclude that we should be leaving stones unturned. Also, longevity is only one metric. End-to-end quality of life seems to be more revealing to me about the state of our health, not just how long medicine can prop us up despite our issues. For example, why are 26% of men under 40 suffering from erectile disfunction? Why are more people on medications for mental health? etc. To what extent does any part of the system, including microplastics, impact these issues?

userbinator 5y ago
I think it's almost all entirely due to a more sedentary lifestyle. Especially regarding obesity.

hnhg 5y ago

Microplastics eventually turn into nanoplastics: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210504112641.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210504112641.h... We don't know the long term effects of these but it looks like their presence will be an inevitability. Given that nanoplastics will be able to cross cell membranes, it would be prudent to conduct more research into them.